Incentive

If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:8-11

Give some thought to what it is you are incentivized to do. There are definite incentives such as a bonus at work or the satisfaction of a good workout at the gym. Other incentives are about avoiding consequences like getting a ticket for speeding or having to replace an engine on a car because you failed to get the oil changed. Discipline is not often thought of as an incentive, but it is an effective means of bringing about change, just as an incentive.

According to this passage in Hebrews, God’s discipline of us should be regarded as a good thing. It seldom is. Pain can elicit a response of complaint, frustration, or even anger towards God. While the methods God uses to shape the lives of men are not always comfortable or convenient, having the proper perspective is the key to enduring. God does it for our benefit and in the big picture, the yield is well worth the process.

DO THIS TODAY: Ask God to give you His perspective on a difficult situation.